The original US flag had 13 stars and 13 stripes. After Vermont and Kentucky were admitted to the Union, two stars AND two stripes were added making 15 of each. By the beginning of 1818, another five states had been admitted. The Act of April 4, 1818, returned the number of stripes to 13 to represent the original 13 colonies. It further provided for one star for each state which would be added on the 4th of July following admission.